ornithine

[ awr-nuh-theen ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an amino acid, H 2 N(CH 2 ) 3 CH(NH 2 )COOH, obtained by the hydrolysis of arginine and occurring as an intermediate compound in the urea cycle of mammals.

ornithine

/ ˈɔːnɪˌθiːn /

noun

1. an amino acid produced from arginine by hydrolysis: involved in the formation of urea in the liver; diaminopentanoic acid. Formula: NH 2 (CH 2 ) 3 CHNH 2 COOH

ornithine

/ ôr′nə-thēn′ /

1. An amino acid not found in proteins, formed by hydrolyzing arginine and important in the formation of urea. Chemical formula: C 5 H 12 N 2 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornithine¹

1880–85; ornith(uric acid) , secreted by birds + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornithine¹

C19: from ornithuric ( acid ) secreted in the urine of birds, from ornitho- + uric